Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Commonwealth v. Smith

August 10, 2023

Summary

The court affirmed the defendant's convictions for two counts of murder in the first degree and related offenses. It held that the trial judge's extensive individual voir dire and protective instructions adequately addressed pretrial publicity, and that sufficient evidence supported the defendant's joint-venture liability for both murders under the challenged theories. The court also found no basis for relief under the court's statutory review authority.